Means for operating well apparatus



A rifi 3, N45. R. c. BAKER MEANS FOR OPERATING WELL APPARATUS 6Sheets-Sheet .1

Filed Dec.

L m E W a a w m w WM ggvvvvvv 1 5 A E m a a A w E E m April 3, 11945. R,c BAKER- 237mm MEANS FOR OPERATING WELL APPARATUS ATTORNEY.

April 3, 31945- R. c. BAKER 2,373,06

MEANS FOR OPERATING WELL APPARATUS Filed Dec. 15, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR. KEY/551v 6 BAKER,

BY 9 m ATTORNEY.

R. C. BAKER MEANS FOR OPERATING WELL APPARATUS April 3, 1945.

Filed Dec. 15, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 51 INVENTOR.

fie-ues/v CI. 514/6578,

ATTORNEY.

April 1945. R. c. BAKER 1 2,373,006

MEANS FOR OPERATING WELL APPARATUS 7 INVENTOR' E5055 CZ, BAKE/Q,

ATTOIQQNEY.

?aiented Apr, 3,

2mm MEANS son cram-rind WELL APPARATUS Application December 15, 1942,Serial No. 89,085

22 Wis The present invention relates to means for 0D- erating wellapparatus, and is particularly concorned with operations conducted inbore holes, such as oil, gas and similar wells. Various types ofapparatus are lowered in a well bore on a running-in string, such as awire line, to a predetermined point where the aptus is to be operated.The operation of the particular equipment may be sudden and violent, aswhen the device is actuated ex- Dlosively, or requires the applicationof a strain on the running-in string to efiect its full periormance inthe well bore. In the case of well packers, especially those loweredthrough the well bore on the end of a wire line, large strains areplaced on the wire line to set the acker fully. Attempts at avoidingsuch strains have resulted in incomplete and insecure setting of thepackers, as when reliance is made on the well pressures to fully set thepackers and retain them in such set positions. In any event, the settingaction is sudden and violent, and offers many disadvantages usuallyassociated with the rapid movement of mechanical elements.

It is an object or the present invention to overcome the aforementioneddimculties =by providing means for operating well apparatus by fluidpressure forces that are gradually generated when desired at thelocation of the apparatus in the well bore.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means foroperating well apparatus adapted to be lowered in a well bore on arunning-in string, in which full and complete operation of the apparatusrequires or 'nnposes substantially no strain or strains on therunning-in string.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide an improvedapparatus capable of firmly and securely setting a well packer, such asa bridge plug, in a well bore or casing with a predetermined maximumsetting force and without imposing strains on the wire line by whichsuch apparatus and plug are usually run in the well bore. As a furtheraspect of this objective, the maximum setting force is created andapproached gradually, rather than suddenly, and is controlled to releasethe setting apparatus automatically from the bridge plug, so as topermit its removal from the well bore.

The invention contemplates the gradual generation of fluid pressure fromchemical reaction between two or more substances which are preventedfrom contacting one another until such time as it is desired to operatethe particular apparatus being employed in the well bore. such fluidpressure is created at the location of the apparatus in the well bore,and furnishes a source of energy which is gradually built up andgradually applied to the device employed in the well bore.

The fluid pressure may be created through the reaction or an acidmaterial and, a base metal, or througlfithe reaction of an acid materialand the carbonate or bicarbonate salt of a base metal, or combinationsthereof, or through the chemical reaction between any substances capableof producing a pressure stable gas. By a pressure stable gas is meant agas which is not decom posed by the application of pressure alone. Anychemically reactive substances may be used to build up either gaseous orliquid fluid pressure, so long as the substances are initially kept fromone another, being permitted to contact and chemically react wheneverthe pressure is to be generated. Specific examples of chemicallyreactive substances capable of achieving applicant's objectives are setforth later in this specificatlon.

This invention has other objects that will become apparent from aconsideration or the embodiments shown in the drawings accompanying andforming part of the present specification. These embodiments will now bedescribed in detail, to illustrate the principles of the invention, butit is to be understood that such detailed de- 'scriptlon is not to betaken in a limited sense,

since the scope of the invention is best defined by the claims appendedhereto.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is an elevational view of one form of apparatus within a 'wellbore;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section disclosing the upper part ofthe'apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figur 2a is a longitudinal section illustrating the intermediate part ofthe apparatus disclosed in Figure 1;

Figure 2b is a longitudinal section disclosing the lower part of theapparatus illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross section taken along the line 3-3 in Figure 2;

Figure 7 i a longitudinal section or the upperportion of a modified formof tripping device employable in connection with well apparatus, such asthat disclosed in Figure 1;

Figure 7a is a longitudinal section of the lower portion of a trippingdevice, forming a lower continuation of Figure 7;

Figure 8 is a longitudinal section through still another embodiment ofthe tripping device employable in connection with well apparatus, suchas that disclosed in Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a longitudinal se-tion through another embodiment of theinvention;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, illustrating the apparatus withits parts in another operative position;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 9, disclosing the apparatus withits parts in still another operative position;

Figure 12 is a cross section taken along the line I2H! in Figure 9;

Figure 13 is a cross section taken along the line l3l3 in Figure 9; and

Figure 14 is a partial section of a modification of the apparatus shownin Figures 9, 10 and 11.

The form of the invention disclosed in Figures 1 to Go, inclusive, hasbeen devised particularly as a wire line bridge plug apparatus. Ingeneral, such apparatus includes an upper tripping device A, anintermediate setting device B, and a lower packer or bridge plug Cconnected to the lower end of the setting device. The packer is to beanchored in packed-of! condition within a well casing D through whichthe entire apparatus can be lowered on the end of a wire or otherflexible line E.

The particular bridge plug illustrated in the drawings (see Figures 2band 6a) is of a known design and is specifically described in each ofseveral United States patents, such as Nos. 2,121,051 and 2,204,648.Essentially it consists of a tubular body llihaving a guide I I threadedon an abutment l2 at its lower end and a plug 13 screwed into itscentral passage I to prevent fluid flow therethrough in both directions.A packing sleeve I is disposed around the body, and is coupled at itsends to upper and lower tapered expanders I8, I! slidably mounted on thebody l0. These expanders are initially secured to the body by sheerscrews l8, I! so as to hold the packing sleeve I! in retracted position.A set of upper segmental slips is disposed around the body and isinitially secured to the upper expander or cone It by shear screws 2|,while a lower set of segmental slips 22 is disposed around the body I0and is secured to the lower expander I! by shear screws 23. The upperslips 20 are cooperable with the upper expander I6 and engageabie withthe casing to prevent upward movement of the packer, while the lowerslips 22 are cooperable with their expander 11 and engageable with thecasing wall to prevent downward movement of the packer, as shown inFigure 6a.

The setting tool B otthe apparatus is secured to the bridge plug C insuch manner that the setting force generated by the chemical reactionbetween substances contained within the setting tool is transmitted tothe bridge plug to anchor it firmlyand securely in the well casing. Asdisclosed in the drawings. a sleeve 24 is threaded in the upper end ofthe packer body I3 and receives a shear plug 23 which is secured to thesleeve by a shear pin 28 extending through both the sleeve and plug. Agenerally tubular actuating mandrel 21 is threadedly attached to theshear plug and is provided with longitudinally extending slots 23. Theupper end or this wardly into the bore 33 of the actuating mandrel 21,where it receives an anvil or cross piece 31 in a slot 33 at its lowerend which extends in opposite directions through the longitudinal slots23 in the mandrel and into adjacent radial slots '39 provided in asetting ring 43 slidable on the mandrel 21, to which is threadedlyattached a slip setting sleeve or skirt ll extending downwardly forengagement with the upper set of packer slips 23. Disassembly of theanvil 31 from the piston rod 3| is prevented by a pin 42. Similarly,pins 43 extending through the setting ring 40 and anvil 31 prevent theirdisassembly, while removal or loss of these latter pins 43 is preventedby the fact that the holes 44 in the setting ring through which theyextend are en compassed by the upper portion 45 of the setting sleeve 4|Pressure can be created at the high pressure or upper end of the piston33 and cylinder 33 through the chemical reaction between suitablesubstances. As disclosed in the drawings, one of the substances 4. maybe contained in the cylinder immediately above the piston, and the othersubstance 41 can be initially retained in a container 43 so that it iskept tree from contact with the other reacting substance until such timeas fluid pressure within the cylinder is to be generated. Forconvenience of description, specific reference will be made at this timeto certain chemical compounds and elements that have actually beenemployed to create the desired pressures, but it is to be understoodthat many other operable substances may similarly be employed in theirplace.

Zinc shavings 43 are placed in the cylinder 33 in loose fashion on topof the piston 33, or they may be contained loosely for convenience in aperforated basket 43, which is lowered into the cylinder and rests uponthe piston. The upper container 43 is filled completely withhydrochloric acid 41 which is held therewithin and prevented i'romcommingling with the zinc shavings 43 by closing the lower end of thecontainer with a destructible glass or other closure II secured to thelower end of the container by a clamp ring 5|. When commingling betweenthe hydrochloric acid and zinc shavings is desired, the bottom closureof the container 43 is destroyed in any suitable manner, as by loweringthe container and forcing the closure onto a point 82 forming the hub ofa spider like ring 33 seating on an internal shoulder 54 in thecylinder. Upon breaking the closure, the hydrochloric acid in thecontainer 43 flows over and reacts with the zinc shavings to producehydrogen gas. The proportions and quantities of zinc shavings andbydrochloric acid are such that a comparatively high unit pressure canbe generated or developed, of more than suiilcient extent to set thepacker C in the well casing D.

As the pressure increases, due to the increased evolution of hydrogengas. the piston 33 and its connected rod 35 are forced downwardly withinthe This rod 80 extends upwardly through the upper cylinder 80 to movethe anvil or cross piece 31 downwardly within the slotted actuatingmandrel 2i, and correspondingly ,move the setting ring 80 and settingsleeve or skirt 4i against the upper set of slips 2d. The pressure isalso acting upwardly on the cylinder head 3i and cylinder at, which isconnected through the actuating mandrel 2i, shear plug 26. shear pin 28,and shear sleeve 28 to the packer body it. As a result, the fluidpressure being generated in the cylinder is causing the piston 33toexert a downward force on the upper set of slips 20, through thesetting sleeve ti, and an upward force on the packer body it, throughthe cylinder 30, mandrel 2i, and parts 25, 2B, 26 connecting the mandrelto the body it.

When the pressure increases sufiiciently to shear the screws 25 securingthe upper slips 20 to the upper expander it, these upper slips 2d aremoved downwardly on this expander and outwardly into engagement with thecasing. As the pressure increases further, the shear screws i8 holdingthe upper expander it to the body are disrupted, since the upper conicalexpander is prevented from moving upwardly by its associated casingengaging slips 2d, and the packing i is shortened and compressed betweenthe cones 0.8, ill for expansion outwardly into sealing engagement withthe wall of the casing. Further increase in the fluid pressure in thecylinder resulting from the reaction between the hydrochloric acid andzinc shavings shears the screws it. holding the lower expander W to thebody it and the screws 23 holding the lower slips 22 to the lowerexpander, causing the abutment H2 at the lower end of the body to movethe lower slips 22 upwardly along its cooperable expander ii andoutwardly into anchoring engagem'nt with the casing. The packer orbridge plug C is now firmly and securely anchored in packed ofi Icondition within the well casing, and will be retained insuch conditionby the locking of a split ratchet ring 55 within the upper cone it withcircumferential ratchet teeth Ed on the exterior of the body M3. (SeeFigure 6a.)

-High pressures can 'be' generated within' the cylinder id, suchpressures preferably being higher than those actually necrssary to setthe packer C firmly and securely in the casing D. It is preferred,however, to limit the maximum setting pressure and also to disconnectthe setting device B automatically from the well packer after it hasbeen anchored within the casing, so as to permit withdrawal of theentire mechanism above the packer from the well bore. For this reason.the shear plug 25 formin the lower end of the setting device isconnected to the shear sleeve or sub 26 through the shear pin it. Thispin 26 has a predetermined shear value, and when the pressure increasessufficiently in the cylinder. the upward force exerted on the cylinderiii. actuating mandrel 2i, and shear plug 2'5 shears the pin 25 andautomatically disconnects the shear plug 25 from the sub 26. As can beseen from the drawings. the entire mechanism A. B will then bedisconnected from the packer.

As disclosed in the drawings, the acid container it is initially held inelevated position within the cylinder a short distance above the c osurebreaker 52, 53 by suspending it from a releasing mechanism 37. A centralplug device 58 is threaded into the upper end of the container at.

Y which E, in turn, secured to a head 5% threaded on a lower plunger orrod dd-by acoupling pin 8!.

cylinder head 3i and into a trip or lock sleeve 62 threaded into thecylinder head. Leakage in both directions between the rod and cylinderhead 3! is prevented by the'opposed rod packings 63. The lower rod 80 isthreadedly secured to a larger trip rod 64 having a longitudinal slot 65therethrough.

A pair of latches 66 is mounted in-the slot 65 on a pivot pin 61 securedto the upper rod 64 and extending across its'slot. These latches 66project in opposite directions and have detents 88 formed on their footportions engageable with the lower ends of opposed longitudinal slots 89in the lock sleeve 62, to prevent downward movement of the trip rod 64,the lower rod 60, and the container 48 attached thereto. The latches 6Bare also provided with oppositely directed arms ill, H

slots 69. Each latch has a light arm H projecting upwardly, which isheld in this position with the detent 68 locked against the lower end ofthe slot 69 by an opposite heavy arm ill on the latch.

As additional assurance that the detents will not be moved inadvertentlyfrom their locked position, the latches may be secured together by ashear screw E2. The latching device just de scribed is claimed in myapplication for Trip device for well apparatus, Serial No. 411,801,filed September 22, 1941, now Patent No. 2.330258, granted September 28,1943.

A perforated barrel 13 forming part of a. telescopic jarring mechanismis secured, as by welding, to a connecting pin i l that is threaded intothe trip sleeve 62. A head 15 is threaded on the upper end of thisbarrel. The inner part oft the telescopic jar consists of an innermandrel it having a lower mandrel head 11 adapted to engage the upperbarrel head it when the telescopic jar is activatsdupwardly to deliver ablow to the barrel i3, and through the connecting pin M to the lowermembers of the apparatus. The threading of a sinker bar It of snflicientweight on the upper end of the mandrel it permits downward jarring totake place through its ability to contact and deliver a blow downwardlyon the barrel head 75 and barrel E3.

The upper end of the sinker bar it is threaded into, a pin joint 19 thatis also threaded in a socket 8d adapted to receive and be secured to thelower end of the wire line E in any suitable manner. As shown=in thedrawings, such connection is efiected'by providing segmental slips tihaving outer tapered surfaces 82 and inner wicker-ed surfaces 83 adaptedto grip the wire line E. The outer tapered surfaces 82 are cooperablewith a companion tapered surface 86 inthe socket body 86 into which thepin joint 19 is threaded. The upper end 8% of the pin joint engages theslips 86 to force them towards the convergent end of the body taper t6and radially inwardly into gripping engagement with the wire line E.Through the wire line E, and its connection to the socket 8d, the entiremechanismencompassing rings as suitably attached to the collars, as byscrews 88.

In lowering the apparatus through a well casing to the desired settingpoint, the friction of the springs 88 against the casing causes theactuator 88a to remain in elevated position on the barrel I8 of thejarring mechanism (see Figure 2). However, upon reaching the region inwhich the bridge plug or packer C is to be set, the wire line E iselevated a sufllcient distance to elevate the entire mechanism, with theexception of the friction actuator, which tends to remain stationarybecause, of the frictional resistance that the springs 88 offer againstthe wall of the casing C. Elevation of the entire mechanism sufllcientlycauses the lower friction collar 88 to engage the light arms 1| of thelatches 88 and swing them on their pivot 81 to remove the detents 88from the lower ends of the trip sleeve slots 88. If a shear screw 12 isemployed between the latches, it is first disrupted and the latches thenswung on their pivot pin 81 in the manner described. Further elevationof the wire line E and the mechanism secured thereto causes the frictiondevice 88a to force the latches 86 and their connected rods 84, 88 andcontainer 48 downwardly so as to press the closure 88 against thebreaker point 52 and produce its destruction, thereby enabling the acid41 in the container to commingle with the zinc shavings 48, in themanner aforementioned. Upon suflicient pressure being generated in thecylinder, the packer is fully set, as described above, the maximumsetting force being determined by disruption of the shear pin 28, whichautomatitically disconnects the tripping and setting mechanism from thebridge plug and allows their withdrawalfrom the well bore.

In the event that sufficient pressure is not generated in the cylinder38 to effect disruption of the shear pin 28, and consequentdisconnection of the tripping and setting device A, B from the bridgeplug C, the telescopic jar can be manipulated to deliver a blow, eitherdownwardly through the falling action of the sinker bar 18 on the barrelhead 15, or upwardly through engagement of the mandrel head 11 with thebarrel head I8, which blow is directed through the barrel 18, connectingpin 14, tripping sleeve 82, upper cylinder head 8|, cylinder 88, lowercylinder head 28, actuating mandrel 21, and shear plug 25 to the shearpin 28. Blows of sufficient force can be imparted to the apparatus todisrupt this shear pin should its disruption by fluid pressure beunobtainable. It is to be understood that ordinarily the fluid pressuregenerated is of sufllcient degree to disrupt the pin 28, the jarringmechanism being provided solely as a precautionary measure.

It is preferred to exclude air from the cylinder 88 and container 48,and also to equalize the hydrostatic pressure within the cylinder andcontainer with that externally of the device as the tool is beinglowered through any fluid that might be present in a well bore.

Air may be excluded by completely filling the container 48 with acid,and by filling the voids between the zinc shavings and the remainder ofthe space in the cylinder around the container with a liquid that doesnot react with the zinc shavings.

The hydrostatic pressure may be balanced by providing an equalizingvalve 8I in the piston 88, consisting of a valve seat 82 at the upperhigh pressure end of the piston adapted to be engaged by a valve head 88having a spring retainer 84 threaded on its stem 88 against which aspring 88 bears in order to tend to hold the valve downwardly in closedposition. As the apparatus is lowered in the well bore, the hydrostaticfluid head or pressure therein may exert itself on the fluid within thecylinder 88 by the passage of fluid through the vent hole 81 in thelower cylinder head 28 to the low pressure end of the cylinder, fromwhere the fluid can open the one way equalizing valve 8| against theresistance of its spring 88 and pass into the cylinder.

The hydrostatic pressure is also equalized by being imposed upon theacid 41 within the container 48. The plug device 88 at the upper end ofthe container is made generally in two parts. namely, an outer plug 88threaded into the upper end of the container 48 having 0. depending tube88 closed at its lower end, and an inner plug I88 secured to the lowertrip rod 88, which is threaded into the outer plug 88 and has adepending equalizer tube I8I extending into the outer tube 88. The innertube l8l communicates with the cylinder externally oi the container 48by virture of the clearance space I82 between the rod head 88 and innerplug I88, while the outer tube 88 is in communication with the innertube at its lower end and also with the interior of the container 48through a vent I88 near its upper end. There is thus provided a tortuouspath between the interior and the elite-- rior of the container throughwhich the pressure externally of the container is equalized internallythereof by being exerted through fluid in the clearance space I82, theinner tube III, the annular space between the inner tube III and outertube 88, and the vent I88, to' the fluid within the container.Contamination or commingling between the fluid externally of thecontainer and the acid therewithin prior to breaking of the cover 88 isprevented by filling the inner and outer tubes |8I 88 with some dormantliquid, such as lubricating oil. This 011 functions to transmit pressurethrough the tortuous path,

. but will not be displaced from its position within the tubes.

Not only does the valve 8| in the piston 88 function to equalize thepressure internally of the cylinder and its associated elements with thehydrostatic head externally thereof, but it also functions as a reliefvalve upon disruption of the shear pin 28 securing the shear plug 28 tothe packer C. When this shear pin breaks under the action of the fluidpressure within the cylin der, the piston 88 is free to move downwardlyto its fullest extent, which is determined through engagement of thepiston with the upper annular portion of the lower cylinder head 28.However, before such engagement occurs, the valve spring retainer 84engages the upper end of the actuating mandrel 21 and lower head 28 toopen the valve against the action of its spring 88 and permit thepressure within the cylinder 88 to be dissipated through the valve 8|and vent hole 81 into the well bore. When the tripping and settingportions A, B of the apparatus are removed to the surface of the hole,such pressure will be substantially atmospheric and thereby permit hetool to be disassembled with safety.

The substances employed in the cylinder 88 and container 48 may besuitably chmen and used in various proportions. In one actual use of thedevice shown in the drawings, about forty ounces of zinc shavings wereprovided in the cylinder, and this was caused to react with about onegalaaraocc ion of approidmately 35% hydrochloric acid placed in thecontainer. The voids between the mic shavings and the remaining space inthe cylinder could have been filled with water, but greater finalvpressures were developedwhen the remaining fluid consisted of asaturated solution of sodium bicarbonate. In the device actuallyconstructed and used, about one gallon of a saturated solution of sodiumbicarbonate was sumcient to completely fill the remaining spaces in thecylinder, so as to exclude all air.

When the closure lit on the container is was broken, hydrochloric acidreacted with the zinc shavings, and apparently also with the sodiumbicarbonate, to generate hydrogen gas essentially. and also some carbondioxide. The shear screw was of such dimensions and of such material asto break when about 2000 p. s. i. pressure was generated within thecylinder 3d. The piston 33 possessed an area of about 15 square inches,so that the final setting force on the bridge plug C was a total of30,800 pounds. Actually, the pressure potential within the cylinder wasmuch greater, but the maximum pressure reached was coco p. s. 1., asdetermined by shearing f the pin 23, which permitted the piston 33 tomove downwardly to its fullest extent and caused the relief valve ill toopen. as was stated above, the final pressure that can be generated isdependent upon the materials used and their relative pro portions.

In the actual case given above, complete setting of the packer C anddisruption of the shear pin occurred in about ten minutes with asurrounding temperature ci about 75 F. Higher well temperatures wouldhave accelerated the reaction and would also increase the maximumpressure obtainable with agiven quantity of zinc, hydrochloric acid, andsodium bicarbonate.

Further examples of substances employable in the cylinder Sll are thereacting of aluminum, iron, cadmium, mercury, magnesium, calcium,sodium, or potassium, etc., with a suitable inorganic or organic acid,such as hydrochloric, sulphuric, nitric, acetic, citric, etc. It is, ofcourse, also possible to react aluminum with sodium hydroxide and water,and sodium or potassium with water. Various filling solutions can beused to fill. the spaces remaining in the cylinder after placement ofthe reacting substance therein, in addition to water or a saturatedsolution of sodium bicarbonate, so long as such filling solution doesnot react with the base metal inserted at the top or the piston. Thisfilling solution may or may not react with the acid, as desired,although it is preferred that it do so whenever it assist in producingthe desired fluid pres sure, Premature reaction of an active fillingsolution with the acid will not occur, since comingling of the acid inthe container and the fluid externally thereof is prevented by the inertliquid inathe inner and outer pressure equalizing tub-es it 99.

Figures 7 and is together disclose a modified form of tripping apparatusfor producing breakins of the acid container cover at. Instead of movingthe container downwardly mechanically, as described in connection withFigures 1 to Sc, inclusive, it is moved downwardly through electricalmechanisms.

The tripping rod or plunger at to which the container 38 is secured isheld in elevated position by threading it into a lock ltd (see Figure7a), which is prevented from moving downwardly under the influence ofgravity by lower detents Etta iii? on latches the mounted on pivot pinsI06 within a longitudinal slot it! in a trip or lock sleeve 82a securedto the upper cylinder head 8! and into which the trip rod extends. Theupper end of the trip sleeve 62a is threaded into a solenoid housing ltdcontaining a solenoid coil I09. The upper end oi this housing isthreaded onto a terminal housing and guide 'plug till, whoseupper end isthreaded onto a connecting pin i l I secured to a mandrel 2 having ahead I I3 welded on its upper end.

The mandrel H2 and its head its form the inner portion of a telescopicjar whose outer portion is constituted by a perforated barrel He, whoselower end is welded to a head 5. The upper end of the perforated barreli It is threaded on an upper barrel head H6 which is threaded onto acable head ill, to which the lower end of a wire line conductor cable Eis secured in any lmown and suitable manner. This conductor cable servesas the connecting link in moving the entire apparatus from the surfaceof the well bore, and also as the current carrying medium.

A solenoid plunger lit extends upwardly from the lock iil i'into andcoaxially of the solenoid coll act. The lower portion lie of thisplunger is made or non-magnetic material, such as brass or a syntheticresin, and has a lower cam or nose 02b initially elevated above the lockm4 resting on the latches M55 The lower plunger lid is threaded into anupper magnetic plunger portion 820 that passes into the terminal housinglid where a psacking nut it? holds a rod packing 923 in leak-=prooirelation against it. Similarly, a packing nut 926 is provided in theupper portion of the trip sleeve 62a to hold a rod packing i225 insealing position against the non-magnetic solenoid plunger portion M9.The rod portions lit, iii against which the rod packlngs i23, 625 sealare preferably equal in area; so -that the hydrostatic pressure of fluidwithin the well bore acting on the plunger is equalized in bothdirections. To permit pressure equalization, the terminal housing flitis provided with a transverse opening 5225 allowing fluid to act on theupper end or the solenoid plunger.

Current is transmitted from the conductive core of the conductor cable Eto the solenoid coil its through several conductive elements connectedin series. Thus, the conductor cable terminal ill engages a tripterminal G28 urged against it by a spring Q29 contained within a capiSt, preierably made of insulating material, which rests upon aninsulating block ltli. The current passes from the trip terminal we tothe upper end or the insulated conductor ibi, that passes through apacking H33 and packing nut ltd at the lower end of the upper barrelhead lit into the barrel lid, where it is coiled helically to provide aflexible or springdike conductor. This flexible conductor E132 passesthrough a packing nut 63b and packing ltd, into and through the mandrelhead H3 until it terminates within the connecting pin ii i with itslower terminus i3? engaging a lower trip pin tilt yieldably urgedthereagainst by a spring 5539 contained within a conductor cap Milfastened to an insulating block it! mounted within the terminal housingH0. Current passes from the conductor cap through the binding post theconductor core. back to the source of electrical energy.

When it is desired to shift the acid container 58 downwardly to breakits closure 50 and create pressure within the oylinder 80, the electriccircuit is closed (e. g., at the well surface) to permit current to passthrough the solenoid coil $05. The magnetic solenoid plunger I2I isdrawn thereby downwardly within the solenoid coil, and moves thenon-magnetic-portlon H8 downwardly to cause its cam I20 to swing thelatches I outwardly on their pivots I55 and shift their detents I05aaway from the lock I04 to release the rod 55. Continued downwardmovement of the plunger II8 then engages the cam I with the plunger lockI54 and shifts the plunger rod 55 and acid bottle 48 downwards to breakthe closure 50 against the point 52 of the spider 58.

Should it be necessary to perform a jarring action on the cylinder 80and the parts rigidly attached thereto to break the frangible pin 25,the conductor cable E may be elevated to raise the outer barrel II4 withrespect to the inner mandrel II2. The helical fonn of-the flexibleconductor I82 will permit such action to occur through its spring-likedistention. The conductor cable may thus be dropped so that the lowerbarrel head II5 strikes a blow on the connecting pin III, which istransmitted through the terminal housing II5, solenoid housing I08, tripsleeve 52a and cylinder head 8| to the cylinder 30, from where the forceof the blow travels through the actuating mandrel 21 and shear plug 25to the shear pin 25. Repeated blows may be thus struck until the shearpin 25 is broken.

Another device for moving the acid container 48 downwardly toeifectbreaking of its closure 50 is disclosed in Figure 8. The sameelectrical Jarring apparatus can be used as illustrated in Fi ure 7, theterminal connection disclosed at the top of Figure 8 being substantiallythe same as that shown at the top of Figure 7a.

The container 48 is moved downwardly by explosive forces that arecontrolled electrically. The plunger or trip rod 50 extending upwardlyfrom the container passes through a lower gun barrel I44 threaded intothe upper cylinder head 3|, which is secured to an upper gun barrel I45through an intermediate threaded coupling I45. A coaxial bore or spaceI41 is provided at the upper end of the lower gunbarrel I44 in which isslidably received an intermediate enlargement or head I48 on the triprod 50. A shear pin I49 extends through this head and into the lower gunbarrel on opposite sides of its bore I41 to hold the trip rod 50 and thecontainer 48 attached thereto initially in elevated position.

The trip rod 50 extends upwardly from this head I48 into the upper gunbarrel I45, in effect functioning as a piston on which a powder chargeI50 is effective when the explosion occurs. Leakage between the trip rod50 and upper and lower gun barrels I45, I44 is prevented by a packingI5I in the upper barrel engaging the upper end of the lower barrel I44.As additional assurance against such leakage, thread seals I52 may beprovided between the coupling collar I45 and barrels at its oppositeends. The upper gun barrel I45 is threaded onto the lower end of aterminal housing IIOa, which is threaded onto a connecting pin III inthe manner described in conjunction with Figures 7 and 7a.

Current is conducted from the lower trip terminal I38 through a lead I53extending through the lower end of the terminal housing I l0a, where itcontacts an electric detonator I54 held in contact therewith by a coilspring I55. This electric detonator contains a small powder charge and afilament (not shown). Positioned below the detonator I54 and above thepiston end of the trip rod is thepowder charge I50. contained within theupper gun barrel chamber I55.

When it is desired to break the closure 50 oi the acid container 45, thecircuit through the electric detonator I54 is completed and theresulting detonation sets off the powder charge I50. Gases are generatedby the explosion at sufiicient pressure to shear the pin I45 and movethe trip rod 50 downwardly, thereby forcing the container 48 in the samedirection and breaking the closure 50 on the spider point 52.Commingling of the acid and the other substances in the cylinder causesthe chemical reaction to take place, and' the generation of gas atsufflcient pressure in the cylinder to set the bridge plug C, or anyother apparatus employed in its place.

Figures 9 to 13, inclusive, disclose the invention in connection with acasing peri'orator F. In this embodiment the piston rod 85a extendsdirectly downwardly from the piston 88 to act upon an elongated actuatorI51, and the cylinder 88 is threaded, or otherwise suitably attached,directly to the cylindrical body I58 of the casing perforator.

The casing perforator F includes the aforementioned body I58, preferablyformed in longitudinal halves I55, I55 Secured together, as by screwsI50 or the like, to form the complete rigid body unit. The body is madein halves to facilitate assembly of the parts contained within it. It isformed with a central longitudinal passage I5I in which the actuator I51is positioned, and also with longitudinally spaced transverse slots I52intersecting the passage to serve as guides for yoke-like slides I58whose plunger perforator elements I54 are adapted to extend throughopenings I55 in the wall of the body I55. The actuator I51 extendsthrough the slides I58 and has a plurality of oppositely facing axialcams I55 thereon possessing downwardly and inwardly inclined taperedsurfaces I 51 cooperable with companion tapered surfaces I58 in theslides.

It is preferred that a plurality of slides I58 be provided in the bodyin longitudinally spaced relation, and that a corresponding number ofcam elements I55 be provided on the actuator I51. The slides I58 andtheir plunger perforators I54 extend alternately in opposite directions,being shown in the drawings as four in number, although it is to beunderstood that one or more of such slides in any reasonable quantitymay be employed.

A longitudinal recess I59 merging into the iongitudinal body passage I5Iextends between the slots I52 below the tapered slide portions I88 topermit the cams I55 on the plunger actuator I51 initially positionedthereabove to pass from one slide into another. for a purpme to bedescribed hereinafter. The actuator I51 is also provided with anadditional tapered cam I18 facing in the opposite direction from the camengaged with the uppermost slide, and this additional cam is adapted topass through a longitudinal recess I1I extending upwardly from theuppermost transverse slot.

The lower portion of the body I58 is suitably tapered to serve as aguide I12 when the tool is run in the well bore, and the passage portionreceiving the lower end of the plunger actuator I51 also merges into arecess I18 below the lowerniost slide in line with. its seated cam topet this com to move down when the actuator is moved downwardly underthe influence of the piston 88 and its rod 35m.

The tool with the zinc shavings it and acid dl is run in the well casingin the same manner as was described in connection with Figures 1 to s,inclusive, until the desired position is reached in which holes orperforations are to be punched through the casing well. All of theslides 853 are in their retracted position, as disclosed in Figure 9,and the elongated actuator ltl is held in its uppermost position bysuitable means, such as a shear screw lll extending through the bodyinto the plunger actuator, in. order to hold the cams ltd fully engagedwith the corresponding tapered slide surfaces its. when it is desired toperforate the casing, the acid is allowed to coingle with the zinc, aspreviously described, and the resultant gaseous pressure exerts downwardforce on the piston 83, producing shear- 1 ing of the screw lid anddownward motion of the actuator ldl. Such downward movement of thelatter member causes its cam elements ltd to force the slides I53laterally outwardly and their associated plunger perforators ltd againstand through the wall of the casing, as disclosed in Figure 10.

Gontinued downward movement of the piston 38 and actuator lli'leventually removes the cams 685 from the cooperable tapered surfaces 368of the slid s and shifts themthrough the longitildinal recesses 989 intoengagement with the rears llii of the lower slides. The tapered surfacesit'll on such cams retract these slides not as the actuator Nilcontinues to move downwardly, as disclosed in Figure 11, efiectingcomplete withdrawal of the plunger perforators led from the casing andback into the body 858 of the tool, thereby permitting removal of theentire apparatus from the well casing.

It should he noted that the uppermost cam lid efiects retraction of theslide and perforator element immediately therehelow, and that the camltt which forced the uppermost periorator i643 outwardly is effective toretract the perlorator immediately therebelow, and that the which movedthis latter periorator ont wardly is effective to retract the thirdperlorator immediately 'celow it, and so on, all of the per- :Eoratorsbeing removed simultaneously to re tracts-d position.

When the slides ltd and plunger perlorators Q66 have all been moved toretracted position, piston will have moved downwardly to sufidcientextent to cause opening of the equalher valve ill through engagement ofits stem 33 with the upper end of the body 85%, relievthe pressure inthe cylinder by allowing the gases to escape through the open equalizervalve (ill, and through the vent holes 91's in the upper end of thebody. These holes d'la are also the means for equalizing the hydrostaticpressure.

within the cylinder with that externally of the tool as it is lowered inthe well here.

A modification of the apparatus disclosed in Figures 9 to 13, inclusive,is shown in Figure 14, wherein each plunger perforator is made hollow orformed as an outwardly opening tube 566a providing a chamber i'ltcapable of receiving a. sample from the wall of the formation. The toolwith the hollow perforators this is run in open hole until the desiredsampling point is reached, whereupon actuation of the tool in the :w. aswas described in connection ass and sampling tubes idle to moveoutwardly. forcing the latter into the wall of the bore to wedge samplesof the formation into the tubes. 7

operating subsurface well devices and apparatus have been described. Theoperations occur through the gradual building up of pressures that can,if desired, be of a comparatively high degree, without imposing suddenor violent shocks on the equipment employed, and with substantially nostresses or strains placed on a runningin string, such as a conductiveor non-conductive wire externally thereof while the apparatus is beinglowered in said well here.

2. Well apparatus, including a well device adapted to be operated in awell bore, fluid actuated means operatively connectedto said welldevice, said fluid actuated means containing a base metal, a containerwithin said fluid actuated means containing an acid separate from saidbase metal, means for releasing said acid from said container to enableit to react with said hose metal and produce a gas for actuating saidfluid actuated means, and means for substantially equalizing thepressure within said fluid actuated means and container with thatxternally thereor while the apparatus is being lowered in said well borecomprising a passage in said container establishing communicationbetween its interior and exterior.

3. Well apparatus, including a well device adapted to be operated in awell bore, fluid actu amd means operatlvely connected to said welldevice, at least two dissimilar substances within said fluid actuatedmeans capable or reacting chemically to produce a gas, a container insaid fluid actuated, means for confining one or said substances freefrom contact with the other suh stance, means for releasing said onesubstance from said container to enable it to contact said othersubstance and chemically react therewith to produce said gas, and meansfor substantially equalizing the pressure within said fluid actuatedmeans and container with that externally there of while the apparatus isbeing lowered in said well bore comprising a passage in said, conerestablishing communication between its interior and exterior.

4. Well apparatus, including a well device adapted to be operated in awell bore, fluid actuated means operatively connected to said welldevice, at least two dissimilar substances within said fluid actuatedmeans capable of reacting chemically to produce a gas, a container insaid' ies 9 to 13, inclusive. causes the slides I well bore comprising apassage in said container establishing communication between itsinterior and exterior, and a liquid in said passage for preventingcommingling of the fluids internally and externally of said containerprior to release of said one substance from said container.

5. Well apparatus, including a well device adapted to be operated in a.well bore, fluid actuated means for operating said well device, at leasttwo dissimilar substances within said fluid actuated means capable ofreacting chemically with each other to produce a gas for actuating saidfluid actuated means, means within said fluid actuated means forretaining one of said substances separate from the other substance,means for releasing said one substance from said retaining means toenable said substances to contact and chemically react to produce saidgas, End means for automatically releasing said gas from said fluidactuated means upon completion of the operation of said well device insaid well bore.

6. Well apparatus, including a well device adapted to be operated in awell bore, fluid actuated means for operating said well device, at leasttwo dissimilar substances within said fluid actuated means capable ofreacting chemically with each other to produce pressure stable gas foractuating said fluid actuated means, means within said fluid actuatedmeans for retaining one of said substances separate from the othersubstance, means for releasing said one substance from said retainingmeans to enable said substances to contact and chemically react toproduce said pressure stable gas, and one-way valve means in said fluidactuated means for substantially equalizing the pressure within saidfluid actuated means with that externally thereof and for automaticallyreleasing said gas from said fluid actuated means upon completion of theoperation of said well device in said well bore.

7. Well apparatus, including a well device adapted to be operated in a.well bore, fluid actu ated means for operating said well device, atleast two dissimilar substances within said fluid actuated means capableof reacting chemically with each other to produce a gas for actuatingsaid fluid actuated means, and valve means operated by movement of saidfluid actuated means for releasing said gas from said fluid actuatedmeans.

8. Well apparatus, including a well device adapted to be operated in awell bore, a cylinder and piston for operating said well device,substances within said cylinder capable of reacting chemically with eachother to produce a gas for moving said piston in said cylinder, and avalve on said piston operable upon movement of said piston in saidcylinder for releasing said gas from said cylinder.

9. Well apparatus, including a well device adapted to be operated in awell bore, a cylinder and piston for operating said well device,substances within said cylinder capable of reacting chemically with eachother to produce a gas for moving said piston within said cylinder, andmeans responsive to movement of said piston to a predetermined positionwithin said cylinder for releasing said gas from said cylinder.

10. Well apparatus, including a well device adapted to be operated in awell bore, a cylinder and piston for operating said well device, substances within said cylinder capable of reacting chemically with eachother to produce a gas for moving said piston within said cylinder, anda valve on said piston engageable with an end of said cylinder uponmovement of said piston therewithin for releasing said gas from saidcylinder.

11: Well apparatus, including a well packer having a body and normallyretracted means for engagement with a. well casing, fluid actuated meansfor setting said packer in said well casing comprising an upwardlymovable cylinder and a 7 downwardly movable piston within said cylinder,means within said cylinder above said piston for producing a gastherewithin for moving said piston downwardly within said cylinder,means cooperating with said piston for transmitting its downwardmovement to said normally retracted means, means including a frangibledevice for transmitting upward movement and force between said cylinderand body, and valve means operable upon downward movement of said pistonwithin said cylinder for releasing said gas from said cylinder.

12. Well apparatus, including a well packer having a. body and normallyretracted means for engagement with a well casing, fluid actuated meansfor setting said packer in said well casing comprising an upwardlymovable cylinder and a downwardly movable piston within said cylinder,means within said cylinder above said piston for producing a gastherewithin for moving said piston downwardly within said cylinder,means cooperating with said piston for transmitting its downwardmovement and force to said normally retracted means, means including afrangible device for transmitting upward movement and force between saidcylinder and body, and an upwardly opening one-way valve on said pistonfor substantially equalizing the hydrostatic pres sure internally andexternally of said cylinder while said apparatus is being loweredthrough flllld in said well casing, said one-way valve engaging saidcylinder upon downward movement of sai piston to cause its opening andrelease of V said gas from said cylinder.

13. Well apparatus, including a well packer having a body and normallyretracted means for engagement with a well casing, fluid actuated meansfor setting said packer in said well casing comprising an upwardlymovable cylinder and a downwardly movable piston within said cylinder,means within said cylinder above said piston for producing a gastherewithin for moving said piston downwardly within said cylinder,means cooperating with said piston for transmitting its downwardmovement and force to said normally retracted means, means including a.frangible device for transmitting upward movement and force between saidcylinder and body, and a valve onsaid piston engageable with saidcylinder upon downward movement of said piston therewithin for releasingsaid gas from said cylinder, said valve engaging said cylinder afterdisruption of said frangible device.

14. Well apparatus, including a well packer having a body and slips foranchoring said body in a well bore, fluid actuated means for settingSaid packer in said well bore comprising a, piston for exerting adownward force on said slips and a cylinder for exerting an upward forceon said body, means within said fluid actuated means for producing a gastherewithin at a pressure that is sufliciently high to cause said fluidactuated means to set said packer, frangible means for transmitting saidupward force between said cylinder and body, said frangible means beingdisruptable upon application of a predetermined setting force on saidbody by said cylinder to automatically disconnect said fluid actuatedmeans therefrom, and valve means responsive to relative movement betweensaid cylinder and piston for releasing said gas from said fluid actuatedmeans after disruption of said frangible means.

15. Well apparatus, including a well device having a body and normallyretracted means for engagement with a well casing, fluid actuated meansfor setting said device in said well casing comprising a, piston forexerting a downward force on said normally retracted means and acylinder for exerting an upward force on said body, means within saidcylinder for producing a gas therewithin at a pressure that issufllciently high to caus said fluid actuated means to set said device,releasable means for transmitting said upward force between saidcylinder and body, said releasable means automatically disconnectingsaid cylinder from said body upon application of a predetermined settingforce by said cylinder on said body, and means controlled by movement ofsaid. piston within said cylinder for releasing said gas from saidcylinder after said automatic disconnection of said releasable means. i

16. Well apparatus, including a well device having a body and slips foranchoring said body in a well bore, fluid actuated means for settingsaid device in said well bore comprising a piston for exerting adownward force on said slips and a cylinder for exerting an upward forceon said body, means within said fluid actuated means for producing a gastherewithin at a pressure that is sufllciently high to cause said fluidactuated means to set said device, and releasable means for transmittingsaid upward force between said cylinder and body, whereby said fluidactuated means may be disconnected from said body after setting of saiddevice.

17. Well apparatus, including a well device having a body and slips foranchoring said body in a well bore, fluid actuated means for settingsaid device in said well bore comprising a piston for exerting adownward force on said slips and a cylinder for exerting an upward forceon said body, means within said fluid actuated means for producing a gastherewithin at a pressure that is sufficiently high to cause said fluidactuated means to set said device, and frangible means for transmittingsaid upward force between said cylinder and body, said frangible meansbeingdisruptable upon application of a predetermined setting force onsaid body to automatically disconnect said fluid actuated meanstherefrom.

18. Well apparatus, including swell device having a body and normallyretracted means for engagement with a well casing, fluid actuated meansfor setting said device in said well casing comprising a piston forexertins a downward force on said normally retracted means and-acylinder for exertingupward force on said body,

"means within said cylinder for producing a gas therewithin at apressure that is sufllciently high to cause said cylinder and piston toset said device in said casing, and frangible means for transmittingsaid upward force between said cylinder and body.

19. Well apparatus, including a well device having a body and normallyretracted means for engagement with a well casing, fluid actuated meansfor setting said device in said well casing comprising a piston forexerting a downward force on said normally retracted means and acylinder for exerting upward force on said body, frangible means fortransmitting said upward force between said cylinder and body, meanswithin said cylinder for producing a gas therewithin at a pressuresufllciently high to cause said cylinder and piston to set said devicein said casing and to disrupt said frangible means, and a.

jarring device connected to said cylinder.

20. Well apparatus, including a well device having a body and normallyretracted means for engagement with a well casing, fluid actuated meansfor setting said device in said well casing comprising an upwardlymovable cylinder and a downwardly movable piston within said cylinder,means within said cylinder above said piston for producing a gastherewithin for forcing and moving said piston downwardly within saidcylinder, means cooperating with said piston for transmitting itsdownward movement and force to said normally retracted means, and meansincluding a frangible device for transmitting upward movement and forcebetween said cylinder and body.

21. Well apparatus, including a well device adapted to be operated in awell bore, fluid actuated means for operating said well device, at leasttwo dissimilar substances within said fluid actuated means capable ofreacting chemically with one another to produce a gas, a containermovably mounted in said fluid actuated means for confining one of saidsubstances free from contact with the other substance, means within saidfluid actuated means for rupturing said container to allow contactbetween said substances and their chemical reaction with one another toproduce said gas, and means for moving said container to force itagainst said rupturing means to release said one substance from saidcontainer.

22. Well apparatus, including a well device having a body and normallyretracted means for engagement with a well casing, fluid actuated meansfor setting said device in said well casinz comprising an upwardlymovable cylinder and a downwardly movable piston within said cylinder,means within said cylinder above said piston for producing a gastherewithin for moving said piston downwardly within said cylinder,means co-,

